On a recent walk I saw something odd on a branch of a tree. Was it an animal? Bird? Strangely formed leaves? When I got closer, I took a photo, and when I enlarged it…
We are warned about spiritual deception. Not everyone is as they seem!
Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
People can disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.
Satan’s servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.
And there are many of those.
The Warning
Such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
Many deceivers have gone out into the world. (2 John 7)
Be Aware
Little children, make sure no one deceives you. (1 John 3:7)
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know then by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn buses nor figs from thistles, are they? (Matthew 7:15-16)
Tips for Knowing Deceivers
They do not faithfully preach the word.
[The Bereans] examined the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11)
They do not practice righteousness.
The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. (1 John 3:7)
You will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16)
They do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. (2 John 7)
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 7)
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Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)
